Othmar Keel, Translated by Timothy J. Hallett

Symbolism of the Biblical World

Ancient Near Eastern Iconography and the Book of Psalms

Othmar Keel, Translated by Timothy J. Hallett

This pioneering work that first appeared in 1972 in German was the first to compare the conceptual world of a biblical book with ancient Near Eastern iconography. Eisenbrauns’ English edition of Keel’s classic work provides the 21st century scholar with his groundbreaking methodology. Generously illustrated with photographs and line drawings.

Description

Table of Contents

This pioneering work that first appeared in 1972 in German was the first to compare the conceptual world of a biblical book with ancient Near Eastern iconography. Eisenbrauns’ English edition of Keel’s classic work provides the 21st century scholar with his groundbreaking methodology. Generously illustrated with photographs and line drawings.

INTRODUCTION

The Old Testament and the Ancient Near East

Two Approaches to the World of the Ancient Near East

The Iconographic Approach

The Present Work

I. CONCEPTIONS OF THE COSMOS

1. Technical Conceptions

2. Symbolic-Mythical Conceptions

a. The Bipartite World

b. The Multipartite World

3. Dualistic Features

4. That Which Fills Heaven and Earth

II. DESTRUCTIVE FORCES

1. Spheres of Death

a. The Grave

b. Prison, Cistern and Pitfall

c. Torrent and Sea

d. The Desert

e. The Night

2. The Enemies of the Individual

a. Demons and Offenders

b. Animal Comparisons

c. Comparisons Based on the Hunt

d. The Mortality and Instability of the Wicked

3. Enemies of the Nation

III. THE TEMPLE: PLACE OF YAHWEH’S PRESENCE AND SPHERE OF LIFE

1. Temple and Mountain

2. The Temple Gates

3. The Forecourts and Their Furnishings

4. The Altars

5. The House of Yahweh

6. The Furnishings of the House of Yahweh

7. The Significance of the Temple

IV. CONCEPTIONS OF GOD

1. God in the Temple

a. The Rock

b. Tests and Purifications

c. Tree, Fountain and Light

d. The Wings of God

e. Ears That Hear and a Mouth That Speaks

f. Father and Mother, Host and Physician

g. ‘He will take me’

2. God in His Creation

a. Generationand Birth

b. Deus faber

c. Command and Wisdom

d. The Judge

e. The God of Life

f. Eruption and Transcendence

3. Yahweh in History

a. The Warrior

b. ‘My Shield’

c. Leading

Excursus: Renunciation

V. THE KING

1. The Birth and Infancy of the King

2. The Enthronement

3. The King as Temple Builder and Priest

4. The Representation and Furtherance of the Powers of Life

5. Defense against Enemies

VI. MAN BEFORE GOD

1. Attitudes of Prayer

a. The Encounter with the Holy

b. Thanks and Praise

c. Lamentation and Petition

2. Processions and the Sacrificial Cult

3. Music and Song

a. Dancing and Jubilation

b. Percussion Instruments

.

c. Wind Instruments

d. String instruments

4. With God

EPILOGUE

ABBREVIATIONS

NOTES

BIBLIOGRAPHY

CATALOGUE OF THE ILLUSTRATIONS

INDEX OF BIBLICAL REFERENCES

Mailing List

Subscribe to our mailing list and be notified about new titles, journals and catalogs.